Diontae Johnson and the Ravens continue to be at an impasse.
Johnson was suspended for this past Sunday’s game against the Giants after refusing to enter the game for the Ravens against the Eagles earlier this month.
Monday, the Ravens released a statement saying that the organization and Johnson “mutually agreed” for him to be excused from team activities leading into this week’s game against the Steelers.
During media availability on Monday, Ravens head coach John Harbaugh was asked if he could envision Johnson, 28, returning for next week’s game.
“What I foresee, really to be honest with you and all I’m really thinking about right now is Pittsburgh. So he won’t be here this week and next week will take care of itself,” Harbaugh told reporters.
Harbaugh was asked why the team doesn’t just release Johnson and gave another roundabout answer.
“I’m really interested in the Pittsburgh Steelers, to be honest with you. I know you guys want to hear the story,” Harbaugh said.
“There are a lot of moving parts. There are reasons for doing things that are front office-type reasons. Do I want to sit here and get into all the different calculations that Eric [DeCosta] makes? I really don’t. I want to think about Pittsburgh, and the guys who are going to be here playing against Pittsburgh. That’s my focus, 100 percent.”
At 9-5, the Ravens are one game behind the Steelers (10-4) in the AFC North.
The Ravens traded for Johnson mid-season, sending a fifth-round pick to the Panthers and getting back the wide receiver plus a sixth-round pick.
In four games with the Ravens this year, Johnson has just one catch for 6 yards.
He had 30 catches for 357 yards and three touchdowns in seven games with the Panthers, who acquired the one-time Pro Bowler from the Steelers in March.
